3D gastric computed tomography: a useful new imaging modality in revisional bariatric surgery

Background: the number of weight loss surgeries continues to increase regularly. As a result, a rising number of patients in possible need of revisional surgery for failure or complications are referred to bariatric centers. But the standard methods of evaluation (upper series, upper endoscopy) are often insufficient, and the best strategy remains difficult to choose. In our center, we have developed 3D gastric computed tomography with air (3D-GCT). The aim of this work was to describe the procedure of this new image modality and to show some examples demonstrating the usefulness in the decision-making process in patients with failure or complications after bariatric surgery.Method: Image acquisition is performed in right lateral and supine positions on a multidetector CT scanner after absorption of effervescent salt diluted in 10 ml of water and 4 injection of butylscopolamine. Thin-slice data is transferred to a dedicated 3D workstation creating threedimensional volume-rendering images of the oesophagus, gastric cavities and anastomoses. Different masks are created to represent the various relevant structures in different colours. The volume of the gastric pouch(es), the diameter of stomas or anastomoses and the size of staple-line disruptions are measured on multiplanar reformations.Results: 3D-GCT results in very impressive precise 3D images of post-surgical anatomy of the stomach. Imaging findings allow the surgeon to identify or to eliminate the common complications of each procedure with a good accuracy, resulting in an aid to choose the best strategy for each patient.Conclusion: 3D-GCT is a new useful tool to assess failure and complications after bariatric surgery.